Transdisciplinary studies on domestication motivated by smallholder environmental and health consciousness

Project Gist

To investigate new food systems developed by the smallholders

Keywords

Asia, food system, globalization, inter-disciplinary studies, smallholders

Background and Purpose

Serious problems have emerged in the fields of agriculture and nutrition, such as environmental degradation, smallholder marginalization, and threats to food safety. One reason for these emerging problems is the huge and complex food system. This project investigated the structure and background of a newly developed food system based on the environmental and health consciousness of smallholders in Asian countries, with the aim of suggesting approaches for securing fair and sustainable agriculture and nutrition.

Project Achievements

Field studies were conducted on a new food system developed by smallholders, together with Can Tho University in Vietnam and the National University of Laos in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. A memorandum of understanding was concluded between Can Tho University and Kyoto University, and topics for future collaboration were discussed.
Eight open seminars were held, and various themes including domestication, the cultural food industry, tea food systems, food preferences, swidden cultivation, producer–consumer relationships, and changes in agriculture and rural areas were discussed among the 20–30 participants.

Future Prospects

We will promote the joint studies with Can Tho University in Vietnam, and National University of Laos in Lao PDR with applying other funds such as JSPS KAKENHI. We will also continue to organize open seminars to discuss agriculture and nutrition from the inter-disciplinary perspectives.

Figure

Principal Investigator